TV Show Watches

Watches Worn On TV Shows

Wristwatch hunting on television may just become the next sport. A new pastime that is a bit less satisfying than seeing your favorite character in the flesh (think: Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston sitting next to you at Blue Bottle Coffee) and a whole lot more satisfying than competing in a cringe-moment-tally with the reality TV sect.

This can be the kind of sport you can tell your watch geek friends about and perhaps keep to yourself when anyone else asks. The thrill of figuring it out is a guilty pleasure; like a kind of Hardy Boy for wrist timekeepers. Last season’s Netflix favorite, House of Cards, proved that Kevin Spacey’s character really loves his IWC — the actor is a friend of the brand, after all. We play spot-the-watch (forget Waldo for now) on TV — on some shows kicking off their new seasons soon, and also on some good old favorites.

Person of Interest

Character’s name: John Reese
Actor: Jim Caviezel
Watch choice: Resco Gen 2 Patriot
Price: $1,850
Specs: Stainless steel, 42 mm
The watch does the trick, because: The man is undercover a lot (former Special Forces agent) and so needs a watch that’s about both utility and cleaning up real nice. The Gen 2 Patriot features a middle case milled from solid steel, and is debonair enough to wear with a suit.

The watch does the trick, because: He's a lawyer — who’s now a student, since he was fired — but still wants to pursue his womanizing ways. A snazzy diving watch with black rubber strap might just hit the bull’s eye.

The watch does the trick, because: As a pharmaceutical salesman he’s trying to portray the essence of professionalism. The automatic self-winding complication of the watch and its clunky appearance feels just serious enough for him.

The watch does the trick, because: For a senior FBI agent, the refinements on this watch, like luminous phosphors for improved viewing in low light, and a dual-seal crown to protect the case against water pressure, are mighty handy.

The watch does the trick, because: As a U.S. representative and slippery politician, wearing a watch with a black crocodile strap and a scale calibrated to an accuracy of a quarter of a second, the man is most certainly ready to tackle the White House.

The watch does the trick, because: For someone as cocky and overconfident as Harvey Specter, an ostentatious watch like this is to be expected. Complete with Perpetual Calendar and Moon Phase — two of the most prestigious complications on a watch.

The watch does the trick, because: As a childhood prodigy that now lacks social skills, wearing a watch like this is a sure thing. Especially since the brand was one of the original manufacturers of the Swiss Army knife, circa 1908.